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Photographic 

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e 


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d'images  n^cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
iilustrent  la  m6thode. 


f  errata 
d  to 

It 

te  pelure, 

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1 

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32X 


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6 

w.'?^js;"";,f  i^  . '  Tf^**r•iV'J,  ;;..--.»•...  ^ 


v,^-:'         .  ■  ■»■  . 


OLOF  KRARER 


'he  Esquicd/iux  ^ADY 


A  STORY  OF  HER  NATIVE  HOME 


....  ■ '  s.--   ^  ■ 


BY 


ALBERT  S.  POST,  A.  M. 


OTTAWA,  ILLS. 
1887 


■'S3irt#'**4;??ifl'<^-jfc5f^^^is»^«ijf^^ 


"^^^■'^, -;lvp-'. 


■  „./;. 


OLOF  KRARER 


THE  ESQUIMAUX  LADY 


A  STORY  OF  HER  NATIVE  HOME 


BY 


ALBERT  S.  POST,  A.  M. 


.■>'■-■'' 


OTTAWA,  ILLS. 
1887 


A 


lorVKKillT 

Hv  AiJiK.kT  S.  I'osi 
A.  1>.  1W7 


It 

ai 

pl 
a> 

P" 

sc 

If 

fr 
ai 
oi 
u 


Press  of  Wm.  Osman  ft  Son». 


a 
b 
li 
n 

P 

s 


'  r 


INTRODUCTION. 


ts 


Post 


ft  Son». 


In  writing  this  little  book,  it  has  been  our  constant 
aim  to  make  it,  as  nearly  as  possible,  an  autobiogra- 
phy, giving  Miss  Krarer's  own  thoughts  and  words, 
avoiding  some  of  the  little  errors,  caused  by  her  im- 
perfect knowledge  of  English,  which  are  thought  hy 
some  to  add  a  certain  charm  to  her  conversation. 
If,  near  the  conclusion,  I  may  seem  to  have  departed 
from  this  plan,  it  is  only  because  she  desired  me  to 
attempt  the  expression  of  her  thought  in  more  eial>- 
orate  language  than  she  can  herself,  at  present,  make 

use  of. 
She  is  authority  for  the  facts,  from  beginning  tr> 

end. 

Hoping  that  the  story  of  her  eventful  life  may  be 
as  interesting  to  those  who  read,  as  it  has  alreadj' 
been  to  thousands  who  have  heard  it  from  her  own 
lips ;  and  with  the  heartfelt  wish  that  it  may  be  the 
means  of  enabling  her  to  accomplish  her  cherished 
purpose,  I  am  glad  to  have  this  opportunity  of  as- 
sisting in  her  work. 

Albert  S.  Post. 


#  .  i 


•L 


OLOF  KRARDR. 


I  WAS  born  in  Greenland,  on  the  east  coast.  I  am 
the  youngest  of  eight  children.  My  three  sisters 
and  four  brothers  are  all  living  in  Iceland.  My 
father  is  living  in  Manitoba.  My  mother  died  in 
Iceland  when  I  was  sixteen  years  old. 

We  lived  near  the  sea-shore  in  Greenland.  Our 
house  was  built  of  snow.  It  was  round,  perhaps 
sixteen  feet  across,  and  coming  to  a  point  at  the  top. 
It  was  lined  with  fur  on  all  sides,  and  was  carpeted 
with  a  double  thickness  of  fur. 

The  way  they  lined  the  house  was  to  take  a  skin 
of  some  animal,  and  hold  it  near  a  fire,  which  was 
in  the  centre  of  the  room.  When  the  skin  was  heat- 
ed through,  they  took  it  and  pressed  it  against  the 
wall.  In  a  short  time,  it  stuck  to  the  wall  so  tightly 
that  it  could  not  be  pulled  off  without  tearing  the 

skin. 

The  door  was  a  thick  curtain  of  fur,  hung  over 
the  doorway,  by  heating  the  upper  part,  and  letting 
it  .stick  fast  to  the  wall.  Outside  of  the  door  was  a 
long,  narrow  passageway,  just  high  enough  for  one 
of  us  little  Esquimaux  people  to  stand  up  straight 
in.    That  would  be  about  high  enough  for  a  child 


•( 


■■,!' 


i   .  i 


2  Olof  Krarci. 

six  years  old,  in  this  country  ;  and  it  was  only  widr 
enough  for  one  person  to  go  through  at  a  time.  If 
one  wanted  to  go  out,  and  another  wanted  to  go  in. 
at  the  same  time,  one  would  have  to  back  out  an<i 
let  the  other  go  first.  This  passageway  was  not 
straight ;  but  turned  to  one  side,  so  as  not  to  let  the 
wind  blow  in. 

Our  fireplace  was  in  the  centre  of  the  house.  The 
bottom  was  a  large,  flat  stone,  with  other  stones  and 
whalebone  put  about  the  edge  to  keep  the  fire  from 
getting  out  into  the  room.  When  we  wanted  to 
build  a  fire,  we  would  put  some  whalebone  and  lean 
meat  on  the  stone;  then  a  little  dry  moss  was  put 
in,  and  then  my  father  would  take  a  flint  and  a 
whale's  tooth,  or  some  other  hard  bone,  and  strike  fire 
upon  the  moss.  Sometimes  he  could  do  it  easily, 
but  sometimes  it  took  a  long  while.  After  the  fire 
started  he  would  put  some  blubber  upon  it. 

Although  it  was  so  very  cold,  we  would  often  be 
without  a  fire,  for  what  we  made  the  fire  of  was  what 
we  had  to  live  on,  and  we  could  not  always  afford  to 
burn  it.  Our  fire  did  not  warm  the  room  very  much. 
It  was  mostly  to  give  light,  so  that  it  might  be  a 
little  more  cheerful  in  the  room.  When  we  had  no 
fire  it  was  very  dark. 

There  was  no  chance  to  play  round  and  romp  in- 
side the  snow-house.  We  just  had  to  sit  with  our 
arms  folded  and  keep  .still.  It  was  in  this  way  that 
my  arms  came  to  have  such  a  different  shape  from 
people's  arms  in  this  country.     Where  their  muscle 


»   *  » 


.  I  (iiiOl  Dt'/iidi )'. 


and  it  was  only  with' 
irou^'h  at  a  time.  If 
ther  wanted  to  go  in. 
have  to  back  out  and 
passageway  was  not 
le,  so  as  not  to  let  the 

trc  of  the  house.  The 
with  other  stones  and 
to  keep  the  fire  from 
When  wc  wanted  to 
e  whalebone  and  lean 
:le  dry  moss  was  put 
d  take  a  flint  and  a 
rd  bone,  and  strike  fire 
e  could  do  it  easily, 
while.  After  the  fire 
bber  upon  it. 
I,  we  would  often  be 
ie  the  fire  of  was  what 
i  not  always  afford  to 
the  room  very  much. 
3  that  it  might  be  a 
d.     When  we  had  no 

'  round  and  romp  in- 
:  had  to  sit  with  our 

was  in  this  way  that 
different  shape  from 

Where  their  muscle 


is  large  and  strong,  I  have  but  very  little;  and  instead 
of  that,  I  have  a  large  bunch  of  muscle  on  the  upper 
side  of  my  arms,  and  they  are  crooked,  so  that  I  can 
never  straighten  them.  A  doctor  in  Iceland  once 
tried  to  straighten  one  arm  by  pulling,  but  he  could 
not  change  it  one  bit;  and  it  was  very  sore  for  a  long 
time  afterward  and  the  muscles  were  much  swollen. 
But  it  was  not  so  with  my  father  and  brothers.  They 
went  out  to  hunt  and  had  more  exerci.se  anti  more 
pulling  to  do,  and  so  their  arms  were  straight. 

It  was  a  great  thing  when  the  men  w^uld  come 
home  from  a  hunt,  for  then  we  would  have  a  j^'reat 
ileal  to  talk  about: — how  far  they  went,  how  cold  it 
was,  how  they  found  the  bear,  or  walrus,  or  seal,  and 
who  was  most  active  and  brave  in  killing  it.  Father 
would  often  say  to  mother,  "  Oh,  how  I  wish  you  had 
been  along,  for  we  had  such  a  nice  drink  of  warm 
blood."  The  warm  blood  of  a  dying  animal  was  con- 
sidered the  greatest  luxury  we  could  get,  because  we 
had  not  any  cooked  food  at  all.  We  ate  it  all  frozen 
and  raw,  except  when  fresh  from  the  animal.  It  was 
a  great  thing  to  strike  the  animal  first  with  a  spear, 
for  the  one  who  drew  first  blood  was  owner  of  the 
skin  and  was  the  boss  of  the  whole  job.  They  just 
had  to  cut  it  to  suit  him.  The  flesh  was  div.ded 
equally  between  all  the  hunters. 

Sometimes  we  used  to  get  very  tired  in  the  dark 
snow-house,  and  then  we  would  try  a  little  amuse- 
ment. Two  of  us  would  sit  down  on  the  fur  carpet 
and  look  into  one  another's  faces  and  guess  who  ivas 


-^»<*MMinmuMe 


4  Olof  Krnrer. 

the  prettiest.  Wc  had  to  guess,  for  we  had  no  look- 
ing-glass in  which  to  see  our  own  faces.  The  one 
whose  face  shone  slickest  with  the  grease  was  called 
the  prettiest. 

V  at  any  time  we  grew  too  tired  of  it  all  and  ven- 
tured to  romp  and  play,  we  were  in  danger  of  being 
punished.  As  there  were  no  trees  from  which  to 
cut  switches  there,  they  took  a  different  way.  When 
any  child  was  naughty,  mother  would  take  a  bone 
and  she  would  put  it  into  the  fire  and  leave  it  there 
until  it  was  hot  enough  for  the  grease  to  boil  out. 
Then  she  would  take  it  and  slap  that  on  her  child 
and  burn  it.  She  was  not  particular  where  she 
burned  her  child,  only  she  was  careful  not  to  touch 
the  face. 

I  can  well  remember  what  I  got  my  last  punish- 
ment for.  I  had  been  playing  with  my  little  broth- 
er inside  the  snow-hou.se  and  I  got  mad  at  him,  and 
so  I  threw  him  down  and  bit  him  on  the  back  of  the 
neck.  Then  mother  heated  a  bone  and  burned  me 
on  the  same  place  where  I  bit  him.  I  got  tired  of 
that  and  didn't  do  that  kind  of  a  trick  afterwards. 

But  it  was  not  always  so  that  we  had  to  stay  in 
the  snow-house.  Once  in  a  while  father  would  come 
in  and  say  it  was  not  so  cold  as  usual,  and  then  we 
would  have  a' chance  to  look  round  outside  the  snow- 
house.  We  never  took  a  long  walk.  As  nearly  as  I 
can  remember,  my  father's  house  was  on  a  low  plain 
near  the  sea-shore.  It  sloped  gently  inland,  and  we 
could  have  seen  a  great  way  into  the  back  country 


xrer. 


The  Dof[-Shii:;li  Ride 


5 


less,  for  we  had  no  look- 
r  own  faces.  The  one 
th  the  grease  was  called 

o  tired  of  it  ail  and  ven- 
werc  in  danger  of  being 
no  trees  from  which  to 
>:  a  different  way.  When 
)ther  would  take  a  bone 
z  fire  and  leave  it  there 
the  grease  to  boil  out. 
slap  that  on  her  child 
;  particular  where  she 
as  careful  not  to  touch 

I  got  my  last  punish- 
ig  with  my  little  broth- 
i  I  got  mad  at  him,  and 
:  him  on  the  back  of  the 
a  bone  and  burned  me 
it  him.  I  got  tired  of 
of  a  trick  afterwards, 
hat  we  had  to  stay  in 
tvhile  father  would  come 

as  usual,  and  then  we 
round  outside  the  snow- 
ig  walk.  As  nearly  as  I 
ouse  was  on  a  low  plain 
:d  gently  inland,  and  we 

into  the  back  country 


if  it  had  not  been  for  the  great  snowdrifts  and 
masses  of  ice.  There  were  some  steep,  jagged  rocks 
in  sight  of  our  village,  and  during  the  long  daytime 
enough  of  the  snow  would  melt  off  to  leave  the  rocks 
bare  in  a  few  places.  On  these  bare  spots  we  would 
find  a  kind  of  brown  moss,  which  we  gathered  and 
dried  to  light  our  fires  with. 

We  never  saw  anything  green  in  Greenlan  ;,  and 
I  never  could  understand  why  they  called  it  by  that 
name. 

When  we  looked  out  toward  the  ocean,  we  could 
not  see  very  far,  for  even  in  the  warmest  season  there 
was  only  a  small  space  of  open  water,  and  beyond 
that  the  ice  was  all  piled  up  in  rough,  broken  masses. 

The  great  event  in  our  family  life,  however,  was 
the  dog-sleigh  ride.  When  father  told  us  we  could 
go,  we  came  as  near  dancing  and  clapping  our  hands 
for  joy  as  Esquimau.x  children  ever  did.  But  we  did 
not  have  a  fine  cutter,  with  large  horses  and  chiming 
bells.  We  did  not  even  have  an  old-fashioned  bob- 
sled, in  which  young  men  and  young  women  have 
such  good  times  in  your  country. 

Sometimes  the  sleigh  would  be  made  of  a  great 
wide  piece  of  bone  from  the  jaws  of  a  whale,  one 
end  of  which  turned  up  like  a  runner.  *  But  more 
often  it  would  be  either  a  skin  of  some  animal  laid 
flat  on  the  ground,  or  a  great  frozen  fish  cut  in  two 
at  the  back  and  then  turned  right  over.  I  never  saw 
such  a  fish  in  this  country,  or  in  Iceland,  so  I  cannot 
tell  what  kind  of  fish  it  was. 


6  Olof  K rarer. 

Our  sleigh  was  drawn  by  dogs — sometimes  six  and 
sometimes  ten  or  twelve.  Each  dog  had  a  collar 
round  his  neck  and  a  strip  of  reindeer  hide  tied  into 
the  collar  and  to  the  sleigh.  When  the  dogs  were 
well  broken,  they  did  not  need  any  lines  to  guide 
them;  but  if  they  were  not  well  trained,  they  had  to 
have  lines  to  contr.ol  them.  While  we  were  getting 
ready  to  start,  the  dogs  would  jump  about  and  whine 
and  be  as  anxious  to  go  as  fiery  horses  in  this  coun- 
try. The  trained  dogs  would  run  forward  and  put 
their  noses  right  into  their  collars  without  any  trou- 
ble. When  all  was  ready,  away  we  went!  It  was 
great  fun!  The  dogs  could  carry  the  sleigh  faster 
than  horses  do  in  this  country.  Sometimes  the 
sleigh  was  bumped  and  tumbled  about  a  good  deal 
on  the  rough  ice,  and  once  in  a  while  it  tipped  over. 

The  dogs  are  about  the  size  of  shepherd  dogs  :ind 
have  sharp  pointed  ears.  They  are  very  strong,  and 
have  heavy  coats  of  long  hair,  which  often  drags 
upon  the  snow.     They  are  of  a  dirty  gray  color. 

When  my  father  had  as  many  as  ten  or  twelve 
dogs,  he  had  a  separate  snow-house  for  them  and 
kept  them  in  that;  but  when  he  had  lost  or  lent  his 
dogs,  so  that  he  had  only  two  or  three,  he  would 
let  them  come  into  the  snow-house  with  us.  Our 
dogs  had  the  same  kind  of  food  to  live  on  that  we 
had,  and  sometimes  when  food  was  scarce  they  had 
a  hard  time  of  it.  They  were  never  fed  when  we 
were  going  to  start  out  for  a  sleigh  ride,  for  then  the>' 
would  lie  right  down  and  refuse  to  mv)ve  one  step. 


/  t  t 


V 

tl 
a 
b 

o 
n 

n 
n 

s 

l! 

n 
a 
a 
\ 

V 

f 
c 


rr. 


tAtni^-  Days  and  Nia^hts. 


gs — sometimes  six  and 
Lach  dog  had  a  collar 
reindeer  hide  tied  into 
When  the  dogs  were 
eed  any  lines  to  guide 
:11  trained,  they  had  to 
tVhilc  we  were  getting 
jump  about  and  whine 
ry  horses  in  this  coun- 

run  forward  and  put 
liars  without  any  trou- 
^ay  we  went!  It  was 
carry  the  sleigh  faster 
ntry.  Sometimes  the 
led  about  a  good  deal 
a  while  it  tipped  over. 
t  of  shepherd  dogs  ;ind 
ey  are  very  strong,  and 
air,  which  often  drags 

a  dirty  gray  color, 
lany  as  ten  or  twelve 
w-house  for  them  and 
he  had  lost  or  lent  his 
vo  or  three,  he  would 
,f-house  with  us.  Our 
food  to  live  on  that  we 
id  was  scarce  they  had 
:re  never  fed  when  we 
leigh  ride,  for  then  they 
ise  to  mv)ve  one  step. 


But  whenever  we  came  back  from  a  ride  they  were 
well  fed. 

Our  dogs  were  very  useful  to  us  in  other  ways 
than  drawing  our  sleighs,  for  they  were  very  sharp 
and  good  to  hunt.  They  helped  to  kill  the  polar 
bear,  and  to  find  the  seal  and  walrus. 

Now,  in  order  that  you  may  understand  our  way 
of  living  better,  I  will  explain  that  we  have  six 
months'  night  in  Greenland,  and  during  that  time 
nothing  is  seen  of  the  sun.  The  moon  changes  very 
much  as  it  does  here,  and  we  have  the  light  of  the 
stars.  Then  most  of  the  time  the  beautiful  northern 
lights  may  be  seen  dancing  and  leaping  about,  with 
many  colored  rainbow  beauties.  The  white  snow  is 
always  on  the  ground,  so  that  even  when  the  moon 
and  northern  lights  did  not  show,  we  could  see  to 
hunt  round.  Before  and  after  the  night  time,  there 
was  about  a  month  of  twilight,  and  this  was  our 
finest  time  of  the  year.  We  had  then  the  best 
chance  to  hunt. 

In  the  long  day  we  had  the  hardest  time,  for  then 
the  sun  shone  out  so  brightly  that  we  would  be  made 
snow  blind  if  we  ventured  far  from  home.  The  day 
was  four  months  long,  and  if  we  did  not  have  food 
enough  stored  away  in  an  ice  cave  to  last  us  through, 
we  would  be  in  great  danger  of  starving. 

The  best  time  to  hunt  is  when  the  ice  breaks  up. 
My  people  know  when  this  is  going  to  happen  by 
the  noise.  There  is  a  rumbling  sound  like  distant 
thunder.     Whoever  hears  that  sound  first  goes  from 


J, — 


8  Olflf  Krarcr. 

house  to  house  and  gives  warning,  so  that  ali  may 
be  ready  to  join  in  the  hunt.  Then  the  hunters  get 
their  spears  and  let  out  their  dogs,  and  hurry  to  the 
placi  where  the  sound  is  heard.  The  polar  bear 
hears  the  sound  also,  and  hastens  to  the  place,  for  it 
is  here  that  he,  too,  miist  make  his  living.  This  is 
the  only  time  that  Esquimau.x  ever  dare  to  tackle  a 
polar  bear,  for  when  he  is  going  about  alone  and 
hungry  he  is  very  fierce  and  dangerous;  but  when 
the  ice  breaks  up  the  bear  goes  straight  for  the 
sound.  This  grows  louder  and  longer,  until  there  is 
a  mighty  crash,  louder  than  thunder,  and  great  walls 
of  ice  are  thrown  high  in  air,  and  a  space  of  open 
water  is  to  be  seen.  When  the  commotion  has 
ceased,  my  people  crowd  along  the  edge  of  the  water. 
They  first  look  out  for  the  bear,  for  they  don't  want 
him  to  catch  any  of  their  seals.  They  have  some  of 
their  dogs  loose  in  front  of  the  sleigh,  and  some  of 
them  harnessed  to  it.  When  they  come  to  the  bear, 
he  is  busy  watching  for  seal  and  pays  very  little  at- 
tention to  the  hunters  or  their  dogs.  The  loose 
dogs  run  up  to  him  and  begin  to  worry  him.  He 
chases  some  of  them,  and  the  others  bite  him  behind. 
If  he  makes  a  rush  at  the  hunters  in  their  sleighs,  the 
dog  teams  draw  them  swiftly  away.  The  loose  dogs 
keep  on  worrying  the  bear  until  he  becomes  furious 
with  rage.  Every  little  while  a  sweep  of  his  huge 
paw  lays  one  of  his  enemies  on  the  snow,  silent  in 
death.  A  few  minutes  later,  perhaps,  another  will 
be  caught  up  in  the  powerful  embrace  of  the  great 


bi 
\.\ 

P 
P' 

VI 

\v 
ai 
w 
b 
ti 
li 
is 
ir 

I 

w 
|j 
n 
w 
la 
tc 
\v 

tl 

o 
w 

CI 

I] 
ft 
tl 

b 


trr. 

rning,  so  that  ali  may 
Then  the  hunters  get 

dogs,  and  hurry  to  the 
»ard.  The  polar  bear 
itens  to  the  place,  for  it 
ke  his  living.  This  is 
X  ever  dare  to  tackle  a 
going  about  alone  and 
dangerous;  but  when 

goes  straight  for  the 
nd  longer,  until  there  is 
hunder,  and  great  walls 

and  a  space  of  open 
n  the  commotion  has 
ig  the  edge  of  the  water, 
jar,  for  they  don't  want 
lis.  They  have  some  of 
lie  sleigh,  and  some  of 
\  they  come  to  the  bear, 
and  pays  very  little  at- 
heir  dogs.  The  loose 
;gin  to  worry  him.  He 
others  bite  him  behind. 
Iters  in  their  sleighs,  the 
'  away.  The  loose  dogs 
ntil  he  becomes  furious 
le  a  sweep  of  his  huge 

on  the  snow,  silent  in 
,  perhaps,  another  will 
1  embrace  of  the  great 


A  Bear  ITuiit.  9 

brute.  The  dogs  crowd  in  and  take  hold  wherever 
they  can.  The  bear  grows  frantic  in  his  struggles  to 
punish  his  adversaries.  At  last  he  lies  at  full  length 
panting  upon  the  snow.  Then  it  is  that  some  hunter 
ventures  to  leave  his  dog-sled  and  try  to  kill  him 
with  a  walrus  tusk.  No  sooner  is  he  sure  that  the 
animal  is  dying  than  he  hastens  to  get  a  drink  of 
warm  blood.  Then  a  long  cut  is  made  down  the 
belly  of  the  animal  with  the  points  of  the  walrus 
tusks  and  the  skin  is  pulled  and  pushed  off  with  their 
hands.  Ali  hands  feast  upon  the  warm  grease  that 
is  inside  the  animal,  and  after  that  they  divide  the 
meat  and  take  it  home. 

I  will  now  e.xplain  that  the  breaking  up  of  the  ice 
I  have  told  about  is  not  from  thawing.  In  the 
warmest  time  we  ever  saw  in  that  part  of  Green- 
land where  I  came  from,  it  never  thawed  enough  to 
make  the  water  run  in  streams.  A  few  bare  spots 
were  melted  off  on  the  rocks  and  high  points  of 
land.  Once  in  a  while  the  snow  would  melt  enough 
to  drip  a  little,  and  form  icicles,  but  not  often.  It 
was  cold,  cold,  bitter  cold,  all  the  year  round,  and 
the  people  in  this  country  can  hardly  have  an  idea 
of  it,  even  in  the  coldest  weather  here.  From  this 
we  see  that  there  could  be  no  chance  for  heat 
enough  to  make  the  thick  ice  break  up  by  thawing. 
Have  you  ever  .seen  a  tub  which  was  full  of  water 
frozen  nearly  solid.'  Then,  perhaps  you  remember 
that  the  middle  was  heaved  up  and  cracked  to  pieces 
by  ^^^G.  frost.    This,  J  think,  is  what  takes  place  in 


10 


Olof  Krarcr. 


the  Northern  seas,  only  on  a  far  grandc-  scale.  A 
rumbling  sound  can  be  heard  for  some  time  before 
it  really  breaks  up;  but.  when  it  doe;,  come,  there  is 
an  awful  roar  like  loudest  thunder,  and  great  blocks 
of  ice  are  lifted  and  piled  one  above  another,  until 
they  are  higher  than  the  tops  of  the  highest  build- 
ings in  this  country.  As  it  breaks  up  a  good  many 
times  in  the  same  place,  these  ice  mountains  are 
piled  higher  and  higher,  until  they  get  so  large  we 
cannot  see  over  them  or  round  them  at  all.  Each 
time  the  ice  breaks  up,  there  is  an  open  space 
where  the  water  is  free  from  ice,  and  the  walruses 
and  seals  come  up  to  breathe.  Sometimes  a  walrus 
will  crawl  away  from  this  opening  far  enough  for  the 
hunters  to  head  him  off  and  kill  him.  The  walrus 
is  hard  to  kill,  for  he  is  so  watchful,  and  there  is  no 
way  to  call  him  as  they  do  the  seal.  But  when  killed 
he  is  quite  a  prize. 

In  hunting  the  seal,  they  take  a  different  plan. 
The  seal  is  very  fond  of  its  young.  The  hunters  will 
take  advantage  of  this  by  lying  flat  on  the  ice  and 
making  a  sound  like  the  cry  of  a  young  seal.  In  this 
way  they  manage  to  call  the  old  seal  out  on  the  ice. 
But  even  then  it  is  not  always  easy  to  catch  the  seal, 
for  it  has  a  strong,  flexible  tail,  by  means  of  which 
it  is  able  to  throw  itself  a  good  many  feet  at  a  time, 
so  that  even  when  on  the  ice  it  sometimes  gets  away 
with  its  awkward  rolls  and  flops  and  jumps.  A  seal 
is  very  active  and  almost  always  in  motion. 

Our  greatest  prize  was  the  whale.    Once  in  a  while 


Ol 

it 

Ol 

re 
m 
w 
oi 
th 
m 
sh 
fo 
bl 
T 
or 
w 
in 
ha 
ta 
ca 

ca 

A 

ov 

pe 

nc 

or 

is 

ca 

vil 

cr 


dipt II If  of  a  WImle. 


II 


ar  grandc-  scale.  A 
"or  some  time  before 
:  doe;,  come,  there  is 
der,  and  great  blocks 

above  another,  until 
Df  the  highest  build- 
;aks  up  a  good  many 
56  ice  mountains  are 
they  get  so  large  we 

them  at  all.  Each 
e  is  an  open  space 
ice,  and  the  walruses 

Sometimes  a  walrus 
ing  far  enough  for  the 
:ill  him.  The  walrus 
hful,  and  there  is  no 
seal.    But  when  killed 

;akc  a  different  plan, 
ng.  The  hunters  will 
ig  flat  on  the  ice  and 

a  young  seal.  In  this 
Id  seal  out  on  the  ice. 
easy  to  catch  the  seal, 
,  by  means  of  which 
\  many  feet  at  a  time, 

sometimes  gets  away 
IS  and  jumps.     A  .seal 
y^s  in  motion, 
hale.    Once  in  a  while 


one  would  get  entangled  in  the  breaking  ice  so  that 
it  could  not  get  away,  and  then  everybody  would  be 
out  to  help  or  see  the  fun.  A  great  many  ropes  of 
reindeer  hide  would  be  brought  out  and  a  great 
many  spears  stuck  into  the  animal.  Then  the  men 
would  join  together  and  try  to  pull  the  huge  creature 
out  of  the  water.  Even  with  the  help  of  all  the  dogs 
that  could  be  u.sed  it  was  hard  work,  but  they  would 
manage  it  after  a  while  Then  all  would  give  a  great 
shout  and  have  great  joy  over  the  whale.  One  rea.soM 
for  their  rejoicing  was  that  the  whale  had  so  much 
blubber.  Blubber  is  the  inside  fat  of  the  whale. 
There  is  a  fine  skin  over  it  and  it  looks  like  tallow 
or  leaf  lard.  It  is  quite  hard  in  my  country,  but 
would  melt  down  into  what  you  would  call  whale  oil 
in  this  country.  After  the  whale  is  cut  up  we  would 
have  a  great  feast  and  eat  all  we  could.  Then,  after 
taking  the  meat  home,  we  would  .spend  a  long  time 
eating  and  sleeping. 

It  was  only  when  the  ice  broke  up  and  the  people 
came  together  to  hunt  that  they  met  one  another. 
All  the  rest  of  the  time  the  families  stay  in  their 
own  homes,  and  do  not  visit  back  and  forth  as  your 
people  do.  The  only  exceptions  arc,  when  a  man 
needs  meat,  or  blubber,  or  a  flint,  and  goes  to  borrow, 
or  when  a  young  man  goes  to  steal  his  girl.  There 
is  no  buying  and  selling,  and  no  trading.  Any  one 
can  get  what  he  needs  by  asking  for  it,  if  it  is  in  the 
village.  The  people  try  to  treat  each  other  as  broth- 
ers and  sisters. 


12 


Ohf  Knurr. 


I  will  now  txplaiii  a  stranjie  custom  amon^  our 
people.  When  a  young  man  j^cts  to  be  about  25 
jrears  old  lie  is  full  thrown  and  is  considered  lo  be  of 
age.  Me  then  begins  to  think  of  beginning  life  for 
himself.  It  is  a  risky  thing  in  my  country  to  get  a 
wife.  A  young  man  has  to  steal  his  girl  out  of  her 
parents'  snow-house  and  get  her  away  into  another. 
If  he  is  caught  trying  to  do  this  the  girl's  parents 
turn  right  on  him  and  kill  him.  If  he  has  not  pluck 
enough  to  steal  a  girl  for  himself,  he  has  to  live  alone, 
and  when  he  goes  to  sleep  he  crawls  head  first  into 
a  fur  sack.  When  he  wants  to  get  up  he  must  crawl 
out  backwards.  I  suppose  he  is  what  you  would  call 
an-old  bachelor. 

A  young  man,  who  sees  a  girl  he  thinks  he  would 
like  to  have  for  a  wife,  makes  a  great  many  excuses 
to  come  to  her  father's  snow-house.  Sometimes  he 
wants  to  borrow  a  flint,  or  blubber,  or  something 
else.  If  he  comes  without  any  excuse,  the  girl's  pa- 
rents tell  him,  "  I  know  very  well  what  you  do  want; 
you  want  my  girl,  but  you  never  shall  get  her." 
Then  he  gets  kind  of  scared  and  runs  off  But  he 
sneaks  round  again  pretty  often.  He  thinks  may  be 
her  parents  will  go  out  for  a  dog-sleigh  ride,  or  may 
be  they  would  lay  them  down  to  sleep  some  time. 
If  he  does  get  her  out  of  the  snow-house  without 
being  caught,  the.  girl's  parents  send  right  back  for 
him  and  think  nobody  is  any  smarter  than  he  is,  and 
do  all  they  can  for  him. 

The  reason  a  girl's  parents  want  the  young  man 


t<,,r7-ma\,  mc^m*  )*.4-kn  8e*BMm    -rtTiTn  li  itTi  "     im«    fii    II    wmu  ,w  *mmt  .Ct  M\i\ 


,'  custom  amonji  our 

j(cts  to  be  about  25 

is  considered  lo  be  of 

of  befjinniiiff  life  for 

my  country  to  get  a 

al  his  girl  out  of  her 

;r  away  into  another. 

lis  the   girl's  parents 

If  he  has  not  pluck 

If,  he  has  to  live  alone, 

rawls  head   first  into 

get  up  he  must  crawl 

s  what  you  would  call 

rl  he  thinks  he  would 
I  great  many  excuses 
ouse.  Sometimes  he 
lubber,  or  something 
'  excuse,  the  girl's  pa- 
ell  what  you  do  want; 
levcr  shall  get  her." 
nd  runs  off  But  he 
1.  He  thinks  may  be 
)g-sleigh  ride,  or  may 
to  sleep  some  time. 
;  snow-house  without 
ts  send  right  back  for 
martcr  than  he  is,  and 

vant  the  young  man 


rih-  liifiuil  l\Si/iiiiii(iii.\. 


13 


.  f 


to  steal  her  is,  tli.il  the)-  want  lu  fun!  out  whether  he 
is  willing  to  risk  his  life  for  his  own  girl  or  not. 
They  think  if  he  is  not  smart  enough  to  steal  a  girl, 
he  would  not  be  smart  enough  to  take  care  of  her  — 
kill  a  polar  bear,  so  that  she  would  have  enough  to 
live  on. 

There  arc  not  many  old  bachelors  in  my  country, 
for  if  a  man  has  not  spunk  enough  to  steal  a  girl  he 
is  looked  clown  upon  as  a  sort  of  soft,  good-for-noth- 
ing fellow. 

Many  people  are  disappointed  when  they  see  me, 
because  I  am  not  darker  colored,  with  black  hair. 
More  of  my  people  have   light  hair  than   dark,  and 
we  know  that  we  are  naturally  a  fair-skinned  people, 
because  when  a  baby  is  born  in  my  country  it  is  just 
as  white  as  any  American  baby,  and  it  has  light  hair 
and  blue  eyes.     But  the  mother  does  not  wash   it 
with  soft  water  and  soap,  as  they  do  in  this  country, 
but  she  goes  to  work  and  greases  it  all  over,  and  the 
child  is  never  washed  from  the  day  he  is  born  till  he 
dies,   if  he   remains  in  that  country.     The  mother 
wraps  her  little  one  in  the  skin  of  a  young  seal, 
which  has  been  made  very  soft  by  pounding  and 
rubbing  it  on  the  ice.     If  baby  cries,  the  mother  will 
not  take  it   up  and  care   for  it,  but  she  puts  it  in  a 
corner  and  leaves  it  there  until  it  stops  crying,  and 
then  she  takes  it  up  and  pets  it.    She  can  only  nurse 
it  about  a  month.    Then  the  mother  will  warm  some 
blubber  for  it;  but  in  a  little  while  it  mu.st  live  just 
like  the  rest.     She  carries  the  baby  in  her  hood,  and 


»4 


Olof  Krntrr. 


(Iocs  not  expect  it  to  learn  to  walk  until  between 
two  and  three  years  old.  Then  she  makos  a  suit  for 
it  of  young  seals  fur.  When  the  child  becomes 
larger,  say  six  or  seven  years  old.  a  thicker  suit  is 
made  of  polar  bear  skin;  and  then  little  "Auska" 
feels  as  proutl  of  his  new  clothes  as  "Our  Charlie" 
does  of  his  new  boots,  and  the  chubby  "Roegnia" 
rejoices  over  her  white  suit  as  much  as  dainty  Flora 
in  her  arctics  and  muff  and  fur  collar.  But  Au.ska 
and  Roegnia  are  dressed  more  nearly  alike  than 
Charlie  and  Flora.  Men's  clothes  arc  just  like 
women's  clothes;  only  a  woman's  coat  comes  down  to 
a  point  and  man's  coat  is  cut  off  square,  and  that  is 
all  the  difference.  They  wear  fur  mittens  and  fur 
shoes. 

I  think  it  would  be  very  nice  for  some  ladies  in 
this  country,  if  they  were  to  go  to  Greenland;  for 
they  would  have  no  washing,  no  ironing,  no  scrub- 
bing and  no  cooking  to  do.  They  don't  even  have 
to  wash  their  faces  or  comb  their  hair.  Esquimaux 
people  have  only  the  salt  ocean  water,  and  if  they 
had  soft,  fresh  water  they  dare  not  use  it,  for  it  would 
be  like  poison  to  their  flesh  when  the  thermometer 
was  60=  or  7o»  below  zero.  So,  when  they  eat,  my 
people  take  a  chunk  of  raw  meat  in  one  hand  and  a 
chunk  of  blubber  in  the  other,  and  take  a  bite  of 
each  until  it  is  eaten.  Then  they  carefully  rub  the 
grease  and  fat  all  over  their  hands  and  face,  and  feel 
splendid  afterwards. 
The  women  have  long  hair,  made  dark  by  the 


walk  until  between 

she  mak-ps  a  suit  for 

the   child   becomes 

)lci,  a  thicker  suit  is 

then  little  "Auska" 

cs  as  "Our  Charlie" 

ie  chubby  "Roegnia" 

nuch  as  dainty  Flora 

collar.     But  Auska 

e   nearly  alike   than 

othes   arc    just    like 

scoat  comes  down  to 

r  square,  and  that  is 

fur  mittens  and  fur 

:  for  some  ladies  in 
JO  to  Greenland;  for 
lo  ironing,  no  scrub- 
ey  don't  even  have 
ir  hair.     Esquimaux 

water,  and  if  they 
ot  use  it,  for  it  would 
;n  the  thermometer 

when  they  eat,  my 
t  in  one  hand  and  a 

and  take  a  bite  of 
:y  carefully  rub  the 
ds  and  face,  and  feel 

made  dark  by  the 


U'/nr/  lOHStitiitcs  ll'nt////. 


rS 


smoke  and  grease.  The  men  have  long  hair,  also, 
and  a  thin,  scattering  beard  over  the  face,  which 
they  never  shave  or  trim,  because  they  have  no 
razor  or  shears. 

We  had  no  church  or  court  house,  no  school  or 
factory,  no  doctor,  lawyer  or  merchant,  no  money, 
jewelry  or  timepiece,  not  an  axe,  spade  or  hammer, 
no  knife,  fork  or  spoon,  no  bread,  no  cloth,  no  wood! 
I  never  saw  as  much  wood  in  my  country  as  would 
make  one  little  match.  For  a  needle  we  use  the 
tooth  of  a  fish;  for  thread  the  sinews  of  a  reindeer. 

Rich  people  were  those  who  had  a  flint.  Poor 
people  had  to  go  and  borrow  it  when  they  wanted 
to  light  a  fire.  Common  folks  would  sit  down  flat 
on  the  fur  carpet,  but  "tony"  people  would  get  blocks 
of  ice  or  snow  and  put  in  the  snow-house  and  cover 
them  with  fur  for  seats.  But  it  was  only  the  t/ios/ 
tonicst  people  who  did  that  kind  of  a  trick. 

My  people  believe  in  good  and  bad  spirits.  They 
think  there  is  a  big  Good  Spirit  and  several  small 
ones,  and  one  big  bad  spirit  and  several  small  ones. 
They  think  if  they  tell  a  lie  or  do  anything  wrong, 
the  bad  spirit  will  come  and  hurt  them  some  way. 
If  a  baby  gets  sick  the  mother  does  not  do  anything 
for  it.  She  thinks  a  bad  spirit  has  hold  of  her  child, 
and  will  get  her  too  if  she  helps  it  in  any  way.  If 
baby  dies  she  lays  It  away  in  the  cold  snow  and 
leaves  it  without  a  tear.  When  a  man  is  sick  they 
carry  him  into  a  separate  snow-house,  and  all  they 
do  to  help  him  is  to  throw  in  a  piece  of  poor  meat 


i6 


( Vti/   Kntnr. 


whieli  they  do  not  laic  about  thomst'lvcs.  If  a 
woman  is  sick  she  is  not  taken  from  hrr  snow-house, 
but  is  no  better  cared  for.  The  only  ch'sease  is  some- 
thing like  consumption  in  this  country.  After  an 
l''.s(|uimaux  tlies  they  drajj  him  out  and  bury  him  in 
the  snow,  piiinj;  blocks  of  ice  as  hi^jh  as  they  can 
above  the  j^rave.  If  he  has  not  specially  t(ivcn  his 
spear  and  flint  and  skins  to  some  of  his  friends  be- 
fore he  tlies,  then  everything  is  burieil  with  him,  and 
the  friends  j^o  home  to  think  no  more  about  him. 
If  the  white  bear  comes  alon^j  and  di^s  up  the  body 
they  do  not  care.  Tiiey  never  speak  of  a  departed 
friend,  because  they  fancy  it  woultl  annoy  the  spirit, 
which  is  supposed  to  be  not  far  off. 

When  a  man  is  first  taken  sick  they  do  one  thing 
for  him,  if  he  is  not  very  bad.  They  gather  round 
him  and  sing  to  the  Good  Spirit,  in  hopes  that  He 
will  drive  away  the  bad  spirit.  If  the  sick  man  re- 
covers they  think  a  great  deal  of  him. 

Sometimes  my  father  would  tell  us  stories  about 
his  parents  and  grand  parents,  and  then  he  would 
tell  how  they  said  that  their  parents  told  how  long, 
long  ago  the  first  people  had  come  from  Norway, 
Hut  no  one  knew  what  Norway  was  like.  Some  said 
it  was  a  great  house  somewhere;  some  said  it  was  the 
moon,  and  some  said  it  was  where  the  Good  Spirit 
lived. 

One  thing  had  a  great  deal  of  interest  for  us  ail. 
When  the  sun  shone  out  brightly  at  the  beginning 
of  the  daytime  it  marked  the  first  of  the  year,  just 


Coiiiiiit:;  of  the  Icclttniim. 


•7 


tlicinsflvcs.  If  ii 
m  luT  snow-house, 
ily  disease  is  somc- 
ountry.  After  an 
t  and  bury  him  in 
hi^jh  as  they  can 
specially  ^ivcn  his 

of  his  friends  be- 
iried  with  him.  and 

more  about  him. 
d  digs  up  the  body 
)cak  of  a  departed 
d  annoy  the  spirit, 
■f. 

they  do  one  thing 
'hey  gather  round 

in  hopes  that  He 
f  the  sick  man  re- 
him. 

1  us  stories  about 
and  then  he  would 
nts  told  how  long, 
ame  from  Norway, 
as  like.  Some  said 
lome  said  it  was  the 
;re  the  Good  Spirit 

ntercst  for  us  all. 
y  at  the  beginning 
:  of  the  year,  just 


as  New  N'ear's  Day  in  this  con.itry.  Th'-n  mothiT 
and  father  would  bring  out  the  s;uk-  i.acii  niu'  nil- 
made  of  a  different  kind  of  fur.  Kathrr  had  his. 
mother  had  hers,  and  each  of  the  children  one.  In 
each  sack  was  a  piece  of  bone  for  every  first  tiu'r 
that  person  had  seen  the  sun.  When  ten  bones  vmic 
gathered  they  would  tie  them  into  a  bundle,  for  they 
had  not  words  to  count  more  than  tcti. 

In  such  a  land  was  I  born.  In  such  a  home  was  I 
brought  up.  In  such  pleasures  I  rejoiced,  until  there 
were  about  fourteen  bones  in  my  sack.  Then  son>e- 
thing  happened  which  changed  my  whole  life.  Si.\ 
tall  men  came  to  our  village.  Our  men  were  much 
frightened  at  first  and  did  not  know  what  to  make 
of  the  giants.  Some  thought  them  bad  spirits. 
Hut  they  were  peaceable,  and  went  hunting  with 
our  people  and  helped  them,  so  that  after  a  while 
they  came  to  like  one  another.  The  strangers  were 
Iceland  fishermen.  After  they  lived  with  us  for  more 
than  a  year,  they  were  able  to  e.\plain  how  they  were 
shipwrecked  in  a  storm,  and  how  they  got  on  the  ice 
and  walked  on  the  ice  till  they  came  to  Greenland. 
They  told  how  much  they  wanted  to  get  back  to 
their  families,  and  how  much  better  country  Iceland 
was.  At  la.st,  three  Esquimau.v  families  told  the  Ice- 
landers they  would  lend  them  their  dogs  and  sleds 
if  they  would  do  them  any  good.  And  because  they 
wanted  their  dogs  back  again  they  said  they  would 
go  with  them. 


ieLCt««lM<Niir*M)MMMMMM'K~ '<> 


l8 


Olof  Krnirr. 


So  they  started  out.  My  father's  family  was  the 
largest  in  the  party,  there  beiiijr  ten  oi  us  in  all. 
Mo.st  Esquimaux  families  had  only  three  or  four 
children  ir  them — sometimes  only  one  child,  and  often 
none  at  all.  I  was  a  young  and  giddy  thing  then, 
and  was  glaa  to  go.  We  traveled  a  long  way  down 
the  coast,  hunting  as  we  went.  Then  we  turned  right 
out  on  to  the  ocean  itself.  On  the  way  there  were 
three  polar  bears  killed  and  .some  seals  ai.d  other  an- 
imals, so  that  we  had  plenty  to  eat.  I  remember  we 
would  sometimes  take  something  to  eat  when  the 
sledges  were  flying  over  the  ice  with  the  dogs  at  full 
gallop.  At  intervals  we  fed  the  dogs,  and  they 
gathered  closely  round  the  sled  and  soon  all  were 
asleep.  When  we  woke  up  we  went  on  again.  While 
on  the  ocean  we  often  heard  the  sound  of  the  ice 
breaking  up,  and  would  have  to  hurry  away  to  escape 
being  caught  in  the  upheaval.  We  finally  reached 
Iceland  after  being  two  months  and  some  days  on 
the  way,  according  to  the  Icelanders'  calculation,  and 
having  traveled  about  a  thousand  miles. 

The  people  in  Iceland  were  astonished  to  see  us 
little  people.  They  came  to  see  us  from  a  long  dis- 
tance. We  were  all  weighed  and  measured.  My 
father  stood  three  feet  five  inches,  and  weighed  i6o 
pounds.  My  mother  was  the  same  height  woman 
that  I  am,  and  weighed  150.  None  of  my  brothers  was 
quite  so  tall  as  my  father,  but  they  came  near  his 
weight.  One  of  my  si.sters  was  only  three  feet  two 
inches,  and  weighed  142.     I  weighed    136  pounds. 


■;■. 

lid's  family  was  the 
ciiifr  ten  oi  us  in  all. 
1  only  three  or  four 
ily  one  child,  and  often 
and  giddy  thing  then, 
;led  a  long  way  down 
Then  we  turned  right 
I  the  way  there  were 
Tie  seals  ai.'i  other  an- 
eat.  I  remember  we 
ling  to  eat  when  the 
e  with  the  dogs  at  full 

the  dogs,  and  they 
;d  and  soon  all  were 
kvent  on  again.  While 
the  sound  of  the  ice 
I  hurry  away  to  escape 

We  finally  reached 
:hs  and  some  days  on 
iders'  calculation,  and 
nd  miles. 

astonished  to  see  us 
;e  us  from  a  long  dis- 

and  measured.  My 
les,  and  weighed  i6o 
same  height  woman 
me  of  my  brothers  was 
t  they  came  near  his 
5  only  three  feet  two 
veighed    136  pounds. 


»   ,  i 


Kind   Trent  nil  III  by  Missionaries- 


19 


Now  I  am  three  feet  four  inches  high,  and  weigh  120. 

The  missionaries  in  Iceland  took  great  iiitcrest  in 
us,  for  they  knew  we  were  all  heathens,  and  thty  said 
they  would  like  to  take  us  into  their  schools  and  ed- 
ucate us.  So  each  family  was  taken  into  a  different 
school.  Our  family  was  placed  in  the  Lutheran 
school,  and  there  I  studied  for  five  years.  My  teacher 
was  a  good  and  kind  man.  His  name  was  Ion  Thor- 
derson.  He  wdr  patient  with  me  and  helped  me  to 
learn;  but  some  of  the  scholars  were  jealous  of  "  the 
little  thing"  and  nade  fun  of  me.  For  this  they  had 
to  carry  notes  hone  to  their  parents,  and  this  secured 
to  them  a  good  whipping  a-piece,  so  that  they  were 
heard  to  wish  "that  little  thing",  had  never  come 
into  the  school. 

At  first  we  lived  several  miles  from  the  school,  but 
we  did  not  know  anything  about  walking,  in  fact 
could  not  walk  any  distance,  so  they  sent  us  on  horse- 
back. They  used  to  tie  me  on  so  that  I  would  not 
fall  off.  It  was  a  funny  sight  to  behold  us  eight  little 
tots  going  to  school. 

I  never  shall  forget  the  time  when  a  kind  friend 
gave  me  a  pony.  He  was  very  gentle,  and  small 
enough  so  that  by  leading  him  along  side  a  large 
stone  I  was  able  to  climb  upon  his  back.  He  would 
stand  quietly  and  wait  for  me.  I  loved  my  pony  and 
thought  there  was  nothing  in  the  world  like  him. 
But  this  long  ride  was  very  hard  on  us,  and  finally 
the  teacher  made  arrangement  so  that  we  could  live 
close  to  the  school. 


20 


Olof  Kranr. 


The  school  system  was  very  different  in  some  re- 
spects from  American  schools.  The  teacher  was  al- 
ways the  minister,  and  the  school  was  connected 
with  the  church.  A  scholar  had  first  to  learn  to  read, 
and  must  keep  at  it  until  he  could  read  better  than 
the  teacher.  Then  he  was  called  upon  to  commit  to 
memory  large  portions  of  history  and  of  the  Bible; 
and  when  he  had  learned  them  so  well  that  he  could 
repeat  from  beginning  to  end  without  the  book,  he 
was  allowed  to  begin  to  write.  He  could  not  take 
pen  in  hand  before  that.  After  learning  to  write,  he 
was  taught  figures;  and  after  that  I  do  not  know  what 

was  done. 

The  teacher  never  laid  a  hand  on  the  scholar  in 
punishment.  If  he  did  anything  wrong,  a  note  was 
.sent  to  his  parents,  and  they  flogged  him  soundly. 

I  enjoyed  the  life  in  Iceland,  for  I  saw  and  learned 
so  much  that  was  new. 

Some  time  in  the  spring  there  was  a  holiday,  in 
which  the  young  folks  would  cut  up  pranks,  some- 
thing like  the  tricks  of  April-fool  Day  here.  The 
girls  would  try  to  fasten  a  small  sack  of  ashes  upon 
the  clothing  of  the  boys,  and  they,  in  return,  would 
seek  to  place  a  pebble  in  the  pockets  of  the  girls, 
endeavoring  to  do  it  so  slyly  that  the  sack  or  pebble 
would  be  carried  about  all  day  with.nit  the  one  who 
bore  it  knowing  anything  about  it. 

On  one  of  these  days,  a  girl  tied  a  small  sack  into 
the  beard  of  one  of  the  men.  while  he  was  asleep,  and 
he  wore  it  all  day  before  anyone  told  him,  and  then 


m 


el 
b; 


tl 


The  Terrors  of  IViiilir. 


21 


lifferent  in  some  rc- 
The  teacher  was  al- 
hool  was  connected 
first  to  learn  to  read, 
Id  read  better  than 
d  upon  to  commit  to 
)ry  and  of  the  Bible; 
50  well  that  he  could 
I'ithout  the  book,  he 
He  could  not  take 
learning  to  write,  he 
,t  I  do  not  know  what 

id  on  the  scholar  in 
ig  wrong,  a  note  was 
igged  him  soundly, 
for  I  saw  and  learned 

re  was  a  holiday,  in 
:ut  up  pranks,  some- 
fool  Day  here.  The 
ill  sack  of  ashes  upon 
hey,  in  return,  would 
pockets  of  the  girls, 
lat  the  sack  or  pebble 
with<Hit  the  one  who 
it  it. 

tied  a  small  sack  into 
lile  he  was  asleep,  and 
ne  told  him,  and  then 


they  had  a  great  laugh  at  his  expense.  I  thought  I 
would  try  my  hand  at  this,  so  I  made  a  little  sack 
and  tucked  it  into  the  corner  of  a  patch,  which  a  big 
follow  wore  upon  his  pants,  the  corner  being  ripped 
just  enough  to  let  the  sack  slip  inside.  I  had  great 
fun  watching  hmi  all  day,  and  when  night  came,  he 
boasted  that  none  of  the  girls  had  fooled  him  that 
day.  "Oh,  yes,"  said  one  of  his  companions,  "  the 
smallest  girl  in  the  house  has  fooled  you  badly." 
He  felt  pretty  cheap  when  I  pointed  to  the  patch, 
and  he  found  the  sack  sticking  out  .so  that  he  might 
have  seen  it  easily. 

Picking  up  fuel  was  hard  work,  and  took  a  great 
deal  of  time.  They  had  but  little  wood,  and  no  coal, 
so  that  it  was  necessary  to  gather  the  droppings  of 
animals,  and  make  great  piles  of  this  kind  of  stuff  in 
the  summer,  so  that  it  would  be  dry  enough  to  burn 
in  the  winter. 

If  mice  came  about  the  houses  and  buildings  in 
the  fall,  the  Icelanders  would  fear  a  hard  winter,  and 
much  damage  to  their  sheep;  for  when  the  winter 
grew  very  severe,  and  the  mice  could  get  nothing 
else  to  eat,  they  would  climb  upon  the  sheep's 
backs,  while  they  were  lying  close  together  in  the 
sheds,  and  would  burrow  into  the  wool,  back  of  the 
shoulder-blades,  and  eat  the  flesh,  very  often  causing 
the  death  of  the  poor  animals. 

The  Icelanders  used  sheep's  milk  a  great  deal,  and 
1  liked  it.  Sheep's  milk  is  richer  and  sweeter  than 
cow's  milk.     They  used  to  put  up  a  lot  of  milk  in 


,  _JXiir'-r^tfi^^'-'' 


22  Olof  Kniiir. 

barrels,  and  put  in  some  rennet,  which  'voultl  make 
it  curdle  into  something  like  cotta^je  cheese.  This 
they  would  set  aside  for  winter  use.  and  all  were 
very  fond  of  it.  The  family  would  be  considered 
\  ery  poor  who  could  not  put  up  from  eight  to  ten 
barrels  of  this  food. 

They  sometimes,  also,  would  churn  mutton  tallow, 
or  whale  oil,  in  the  .sheep's  milk,  and  make  a  kind  of 
butter.  Whale  oil  makes  a  better  butter  than  the 
tallow,  and  I  think  I  like  would  it  even  yet. 

While  most  people  had   dishes   and  knives  and 
forks,  it  was  not  customary  to  set  the  table,  unless 
there  was  company  present.     Each  one  had  a  cup 
for  himself,  made  of  wood  with  staves  like  a  barrel, 
and  curiously  bound  with  whale-bone  hoops.     They 
had  handles  upon  them,  but  I  do  not  know  how  fast- 
ened.    A  child's  cup  would  hold  about  a  quart,  and 
a  mans  cup  sometimes  as  much  as  three  quarts. 
When  each  one  had  gotten  his  cup  filled,  he  would 
take  his  place  at  any  convenient  spot  in  the  room, 
on  the  bed.  or  anywhere,  and  proceed  to  empty  the 
cup  with  great  haste.     We  all  had  ravenous  appe- 
tites, but  did  not  always  have  enough  to  eat.     In 
the  spring  we  had  a  great  treat,  when  the  eggs  and 
>    flesh  of  wild  fowl  were  to  be  had.     We  fared  well 
when  fish  were  plenty,  but  at  other  times  a  porridge 
made  of  Iceland  moss  and  the  curdled  milk  made  up 
our  fare.     Some  seasons  they  can  raise  a  few  vege- 
tables in  Iceland,  but  this  is  not  often.    Of  late  years 
they  cannot  raise  grain,  although  they  used  to  raise 
good  oats. 


Dctxth  of  I  he  Mollnr. 


n 


L't,  which  'voultl  make 
;ottay[e  cheese.  This 
;er  use,  and  all  were 
would  be  considered 
up  from  eight  to  ten 

1  churn  mutton  tallow, 
Ik,  and  make  a  kind  of 
better  butter  than  the 
d  it  even  yet. 
ishes   and  knives  and 

1  set  the  table,  unless 
Each  one  had  a  cup 

h  staves  like  a  barrel, 
ile-bone  hoops.  They 
do  not  know  how  fast- 
old  about  a  quart,  and 
nuch  as  three  quarts, 
is  cup  filled,  he  would 
lent  spot  in  the  room, 
proceed  to  empty  the 
11  had  ravenous  appe- 
ve  enough  to  eat.  In 
:at,  when  the  eggs  and 
e  had.  We  fared  well 
:  other  times  a  porridge 

2  curdled  milk  made  up 
T  can  raise  a  few  vege- 
jot  often.  Of  late  years 
ough  they  used  to  raise 


One  of  the  books  that  we  had  there  was  a  history 
(.f  America,  and  in  that  it  said  that  money  could  be 
picked  up  off  the  streets,  almost.  I  have  since  found 
it  quite  a  difficujty.  But  that  book  put  me  into  the 
notion  to  come  out  here.  So  when  a  colony  of  five 
hundred  Icelanders  were  about  to  start  for  Manitoba, 
I  got  my  father  to  come  with  them.  He  had  just 
money  enough  to  bring  himself  and  one  of  his  child- 
ren, so  he  naturally  chose  his  youngest  and  the  one 
that  was  most  anxious  to  come. 

My  mother  died  with  consumption  when  we  had 
been  in  Iceland  about  a  year.     I  shall  never  forget 
the  circumstances  of  her  illness.      I  hated  her,  and 
turned  from  her  just  as  we  did  in  Greenland.     She 
thought  it  was  all  right,  and  told  me  to  keep  away 
and  to  hate  her,  for  fear  the  bad  spirit  would  get  me. 
I  said  to  my  teacher  one  day:  "  I  hate  my  mother." 
"Why,  my  dear  child,  you  .should  not  do  that." 
"  But  I  do  hate  her;  she  has  a  bad  spirit  in  her, 
;ind  Esquimaux   people   always   hate  their  friends 
when  they  get  bad  spirits  in  them." 

Tears  ran  down  the  good  man's  cheeks  as  he  ex- 
claimed, "  Why,  the  dear  child,  she  doesn't  know  any- 
thing ! " 

Then  he  took  me  upon  his  knee  and  began 
to  explain  that  my  mother  did  not  have  a  bad  spirit, 
but  was  sick.  He  dropped  his  school  work  entirely, 
and  for  three  days  devoted  himself  to  explaining  the 
Christian  belief.  Then  he  made  me  go  to  my  mother 
and  tell  her  all  about  it.  My  mother  was  glad— oh, 
so  glad;  and  she  died  happy. 


24 


Olof  Kroiur. 


My  four  brothers  and  three  sisters  are  in  Icchmd, 
yet.  I  promised  when  I  left  that  I  wouid  send  for 
them,  and  I  still  hope  to  have  them  all  with  me. 

Wc  sailed  in  a  ship  from  Iceland  to  Scotland.  1 
cannot  remember  at  what  city  we  landed.  l'"rom 
there  I  had  my  first  railway  ride,  into  luigland,  ami 
was  much  frightened  by  the  noise  and  motion  of  tlu 
cars.  Then  we  sailed  to  Quebec,  and  then  came  U< 
Winnipeg;.  It  took  us  five  months  and  five  days  tn 
come  from  Iceland  to  Manitoba. 

When  I  came  to  Manitoba,  I  was  sick  for  nearly 
two  years.  The  Iceland  ministers  were  very  kind  to 
me,  and  took  care  of  me  while  I  was  sick.  When  1 
^rot  well,  I  started  out  to  work  for  my  living.  1 
could  not  speak  one  word  of  English,  and  I  was 
afraid  to  try. 

The  first  person  I  worked  for  was  a  half-bretd 
woman,  who  had  a  rough,  quarrelsome  lot  of  chil- 
dren that  I  had  to  wait  upon.  Once  in  a  while!  was 
called  into  the  front  room,  and  would  find  some 
strangers  there.  One  day  the  mistress  was  called 
away,  when  I  was  sent  into  the  room,  and  the  gentle- 
man and  lady  who  were  there  gave  me  a  quarter, 
each.  She  had  been  making  money  out  of  mc  in 
this  way  all  the  while,  but  all  the  money  I  received 
for  some  months  of  hard  labor  was  what  these  people 
gave  me. 

Then  I  was  taken  sick  with  the  measles.  The 
woman  turned  me  out  of  doors.  I  did  not  know 
where  to  go.  .  I  just  ran  round  and  round  the  house. 


.Vyc 

iiipej 

ind 

ind 

plac( 

I  wa 

Af 
to  w 
Whe 
child 
her. 
was  ( 
her  t 
not  ; 
bettt 
The) 
read 
with 
that 
way 
and  ! 
to  CO 

M} 
respe 
worn 
was  1 
polar 
let  m 

Bu 
bocai 


istcrs  arc  in  Iceland, 
lat  I  woi'.icl  send  for 
hem  all  with  nic. 
land  to  Scotland.  1 
J  we  landed.  l''ruin 
ie,  into  lui5.jland,  ami 
ijse  and  motion  of  tin 
ec,  and  then  came  to 
nths  and  five  days  tn 

'.  was  sick  for  nearly 
ters  were  very  kind  to 
I  was  sick.  When  1 
rk  for  my  living.  1 
■  English,  and   I  was 

for  was  a  half-breed 
irrclsome  lot  of  chii- 
Oncc  in  a  while  I  was 
and  would  find  some 
le  mistress  was  called 
room,  and  the  gentlt- 
1  gave  me  a  quarter, 
money  out  of  me  in 
:he  money  i  received 
rt'as  what  these  people 

h  the   measles.      The 

ors.      I  did  not  know 

and  round  the  house, 


/.//)  ///  Mtuiitohii 


!i; 


.V  young  lady,  from  one  of  the  best  families  in  Win- 
nipeg, found  me  in  this  plight,  took  me  by  the  hand 
ind  led  me  home.  She  nursed  me  till  I  was  well, 
,uid  then  gave  me  good  clothes  and  found  me  a 
place  to  wori-:.  :')he  told  me  to  come  back  to  her  if 
I  was  in  trouble  again. 

After  working  for  some  time  in  this  place,  I  came 
to  work  for  Mrs.  C,  the  lady  who  is  with  me  now. 
When  she  first  saw  me  she  thought  I  was  a  little 
child,  and  did  not  see  how  I  could  be  of  any  'u.sc  to 
her.  But  she  pitied  me  because  she  thought  I 
was  cold,  and  gave  me  something  to  do.  I  lived  with 
her  three  months.  When  I  first  came  to  her  I  could 
not  .speak  enough  English  to  tell  her  I  liked  coffee 
better  than  tea.  My  work  was  washing  dishes. 
They  would  help  me  into  a  chair  so  that  I  could 
reach  the  table.  When  at  last  I  was  able  to  explain, 
with  the  help  of  an  Iceland  girl  who  lived  next  door, 
that  I  desired  to  travel  as  a  curiosity,  hoping  in  this 
way  to  make  money  enough  to  bring  my  brothers 
and  sisters  from  Iceland,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  consented 
to  come  with  me. 

My  father  agreed  to  let  me  go,  if  I  would  go  with 
respectable  people  and  remain  with  them.  I  had 
worn  my  seal  skin  suit  about  in  Manitoba  until  it 
was  worn  out,  but  my  father  had  taken  care  of  my 
polar  bear  suit,  so  I  had  that  to  bring  with  me.  He 
let  me  bring  his  new  flint  and  walrus  tusk,  also. 

But  a  few  months  afterwards  he  sent  for  his  .spear, 
because  he  thought  he  could  not  get  along  without  it, 


36 


Olof  K rarer. 


so  1  returned  it  to  him.  He  is  still  liviivj  in  Mani- 
toba, and  is  65  years  old.  This  is  several  years  older 
than  people  live  in  Greenland.  Oldest  people  wc 
ever  knew  were  60  years  old.  This  I  know  from  the 
Icelanders,  who  went  round  to  all  the  snow  houses 
and  counted  the  bones  in  the  different  sacks. 

When  I  reached  Minneapolis  I  was  taken  sick,  and 
the  doctors  did  not  know  what  to  do  for  mc.  They 
kept  me  in  a  warm  room,  and  I  grew  worse  every 
day  At  last  Mr.  C.  heard  of  a  doctor  who  had  been 
in  Greenland,  and  sent  for  him.  Under  his  advice  I 
was  taken  to  Minnetonka  and  kept  in  a  cold  room 

and  I  got  well. 

At  first  I  traveled  as  a  curiosity  and  charged  ten 
cents.     All  I  could  do  was  to  let  the  people  see  me, 
show  my  costume,  flint  and  tusk,  sing  a  few  songs, 
etc     By  degrees  I  learned  to  answer  questions,  and 
at  last  came  to  talk  pretty  well.     While  we  were  at 
a  place  in  Indiana,  called  Cloverdale,  some  profes- 
sors and  a  minister  urged  me  to  give  a  lecture.    They 
secured  a  large  hall,  and  when  I  peeked  through  a 
hole  in  the  curtain  I  saw  about  300  people,  and  was 
nearly  scared  out  of  my  wits.     But  Mrs.  C.  got  me 
mad  over  something  about  my  dress,  and  the  curtain 
went  up  while  I  was  standing  there,  and  I  spoke  to 
them  right  along.    That  was  Dec.  30th,  .884.    Smce 
then  I  have  been  lecturing  right  along,  except  in 
some  short  times  of  sickness,  and  the  hottest  weath- 
er    I  have  been  in  Minnesota,   Wisconsm,   Iowa 
Uinois.  Michigan,  Ohio,  Indiana,  Missouri.  Kansas. 


and 
my 
trav 
Icel 

by 
ask( 
but 
way 
of  r 
betl 
I 
or  s 
and 
said 
the 

farri 
mar 
tot 

sing 

mar 

and 

littl 

war 

But 

my 

thrc 

chol 

witl 


'V/  /''arm  in  dniiilniii/!' 


27 


still  living  in  Mani- 
I  is  several  years  oldi  i 

Oldest  people  wc 
This  I  know  from  the 
all  the  snow  housr^ 
ifferent  sacks, 
i  I  was  taken  sick,  and 
to  do  for  me.  They 
d  I  grew  worse  every 
a  doctor  who  had  been 

Under  his  advice  1 
kept  in  a  cold  room, 

sity  and  charged  ten 
let  the  people  see  mc, 
isk,  sing  a  few  songs, 
answer  questions,  and 
11.  While  we  were  at 
overdale,  some  profes- 

0  give  a  lecture.    They 

1  I  peeked  through  a 
ut  300  people,  and  was 

But  Mrs.  C.  got  me 
y  dress,  and  the  curtain 
there,  and  I  spoke  to 
Dec.  30th,  1884.  Since 
right  along,  except  in 
and  the  hottest  weath- 
3ta,  Wisconsin,  Iowa 
ana,  Missouri.  Kansas, 


and  Nebra.ska.  and  I  hope  by  next  year,  to  have  all 
my  brothers  and  sisters  with  me,  so  that  we  can 
travel  together  and  help  the  missionary  teachers  in 
Iceland,  where  we  got  our  education  in  the  first  place. 

A  great  many  funny  things  have  been  said  to  me 
by  visitors,  and  a  great  many  curious  questions 
asked.  Generally,  people  arc  kind  and  considerate, 
but  sometimes  they  are  rude  and  uncivil.  I  am  al- 
ways glad  to  satisfy  rea.sonable  curiosity  to  the  best 
of  my  ability,  but  I  do  not  like  impertinence  any 
better  than  any  body  else. 

I  was  somewhat  surpri.sed  by  one  old  lady,  a  year 
or  so  ago.  After  she  had  listened  for  some  time, 
and  become  greatly  interested,  she  came  up  and 
said,  "  Where  did  yeou  say  yeou  kum  from.' "  "  From 
the  eastern  coast  of  Greenland."  "Greenland!  why 
h,  yes.  I  know  that  country.  My  husband's  got  a 
farm  there."  A  farm  in  Greenland!  Well,  a  good 
many  other  people  have  made  mistakes  fully  equal 
to  the  old  lady's. 

Americans,  I  think  you  do  not  realize  your  bles- 
sings in  this  great  land  of  plenty,  where  you  have  so 
many  fine  things.  Even  here,  I  often  see  sad  faces, 
and  hear  words  of  discontent.  Sometimes  I  am  a 
little  discontented  myself,  when  I  see  something  I 
want,  and  think  I  cannot,  or  ought  not  to,  have  it. 
But  I  soon  get  over  that  feeling  when  I  remember 
my  home  in  the  frozen  north,  where  we  sat  still 
thrcAigh  the  weary  hours,  shivering  with  the  cold, 
choked  by  the  smoke,  and  often  almost  perishing 
with  hunger. 


Si 


V 

s 


jX  Old/  KiiVi'r. 

If  1  was  to  yu  buck  to  my  race  ef  pco))!.,  I  would 
not  be  able  to  tell  them  about  what  I  sec  and  luai 
in  this  country.  They  have  not  the  lan^juauc  to 
express  the  thoujjht.  They  have  seen  nothing  like 
a  sewin^j  machine,  or  a  piano.  They  have  no  mate- 
rials to  enable  them  to  make  machines.  They  never 
saw  a  painting  t,r  a  drawing.  Their  wild,  rude  songs 
is  all  they  have  that  is  anything  like  music.  They 
have  no  idea  of  a  book.  They  eat  when  they're 
hungry,  and  sleep  when  they're  sleepy.  They  are 
happy  and  contented  when  they  dont  kmn.'  '//,'  bet- 
ter. ,        . 

The  only  relatives  we  knew  about,  were  orothers 
and  sisters,  father  and  mother,  and  our  grandparents^ 
As  for  other  relatives,  such  as   uncles,  aunts  and 
cousins,  we  knew  nothing  about  them.     We  lived  in 
small  settlements  of  thirty  or  forty  families.    No  one 
seemed  to  take  any  interest  in  finding  out  how  many 
settlements  there  were,  or  how  many  people  lived  in 
them     We  had  only  one  n.imc  each,  just  as  you 
name  animals  in  this  countiv.     My  father's  name 
was  Krauker.    My  name  was  OKvar.    Before  we  left 
Iceland    the   whole   family   were   baptized.     They 
named  my  father  Salve  Krarer,  and  they  baptized 
me  Olof  Krarer,  making  the  Iceland  names  as  near 
like  the  Esquimaux  names  as  they  could,  but  giving 
my  father  a  new  name.  Salve,  which  means  some- 
thing like  "  saved."  ^ 
THK    KNI>. 


•  (if  pco])!.  ,  1  would 
that  I  sec  and  Ixmi 
Qt  the  lan^juajic  to 
e  seen  nothing  hke 
rht'y  have  no  inate- 
:hines.  They  never 
leir  uilil,  rude  sonjjs 
like  music.  They 
y  eat  when  they're 
:  sleepy.  They  are 
■  doiit  know  •'iiy  bet- 

bout,  were  brothers 
id  our  grandparents. 
s  uncles,  aunts  an<l 
:  them.     We  lived  in 
rty  families.     No  one 
nding  out  how  many 
many  people  lived  in 
w:  each,  just  as  you 
My  father's  name 
iKvar.    Before  we  left 
ere    baptized.     They 
r,  and  they  baptized 
celand  names  as  near 
hey  could,  but  giving 
,  which  means  some- 


DPITOME. 

On  Iceland's  damp  and  stormy  shore. 

Mid  Geyser's  throe  and  Ocean's  roar, 

A  sturdy  race  on  sterile  soil. 

Pursue  their  unremitting  toil; 

Struggling  against  stern  poverty. 

And  Denmark's  hostile  mastery. 

Farther  northward,  bleak  and  cold, 

Bound  by  Winter's  icy  hold, 

Where  eternal  snows  abound, — 

There  the  Esquimaux  is  found. 

House  of  ice  and  suit  of  fur; 

Food,  the  flesh  of  polar  bear; 

Tusks  of  walrus,  the  only  arm. 

Ferocious  beasts  alone  alarm; 

A  dog-sleigh  ride  his  only  pleasure; 

A  piece  of  Hint  his  choicest  treasure; 

Ambition's  height  to  steal  a  wife,. 

For  her  he  dares  to  risk  his  life. 

He  tells  no  lie  nor  ever  swears; 

For  neighbor,  as  for  brother,  cares. 

The  golden  rule  he  never  heard. 

Hut  tries  to  keep  its  every  word. 

Father  to  son  the  story  told. 

How  sailors  hardy,  brave  and  bold, 

Far  back  in  bygone  centuries. 

Sought  to  explore  the  Northern  seas; 

Storm-bound,  shipwrecked  and  cast- away, 


V 


Hy  li()rriil  fate  compelled  Id  sta>-, 

They  yieliieil  not  to  ^jrim  despair. 

Hut  bearded  Winter  in  his  lair; 

liravely  huildin^f  tlieir  snow  house  domes, 

They  settled  into  northern  homes. 

Lost  to  tlieir  ken  is  old  Norwa>-, 

But  cherished  still  in  their  memory. 

Tile  risiiij^  sun  be^an  the  year; 

I'^tur  months  his  rays  shone  full  and  clear 

A  month  he  j^nive  a  mildei  li}.(lit, 

"Twixt  the  lonj^r  t|;iy  and  lont,ar  ni^dit. 

I''()r  half  the  year  Aurora's  l)eams. 

Tile  moon's  .soft  ray,  and  starry  fleams, 

Guided  the  liunter  to  his  home, 

Whene'er  he  chose  afar  to  roain. 

Koremost  amon^  his  tribe  and  clan, 

There  liveil  a  hardy  little  man; 

His  wife,  renowned  for  spirit  hi^h. 

Rejoiced  in  her  lar^e  family; — 

Kour  sturdy  sons,  four  maidens  brown. 

Gathered  in  harmony  around 

Their  fireplace,  and  to^etlier  dwelt, 

And  love  for  one  another  felt. 

One  fateful  day  there  came  alonfi^ 

Six  Iceland  fishers,  stern  and  strong. 

The  Esquimaux  in  terror  fled 

From  spirits  evil,  so  they  said; 

But  meeting  them  with  friendly  mien. 

The  pigmies  soon  at  ease  were  seen. 

The  giants  more  contented  grew. 


t^ 


stay, 
-•spair, 
lir; 
lioiisf  domes, 

lullUS. 

way, 
lU'inory. 

ar; 
lull  aiut  clear; 

t,'er  ni^'Iit. 

)eains, 

rry  ^jlcains, 

ine, 

lain. 

lul  clan, 

an; 

ens  brown, 

d 

r  dwelt, 

alonfT 

d  strong. 

d 

id; 

idly  mien, 

ere  seen. 

[rrew. 


h.pihniu. 

Ami  ea^jer  sc.iri    d  for  ktiowicd^je  new; 
Hut  erst  they  thu  ij,dit  of  native  shore, 
And  longed  to  viiw  their  home  once  more. 
At  leii(^th,  in  ^  iiUiiroiis  spirit  bold. 

Their  purpose  to  tlieir  friends  they  told. 
To  seek  their  lov'd  latul  once  again, 
Hy  crossing;  on  the  frozen  main. 

The  trial  made,  the  deed  was  done! 
A  victory  j^reat.  and  nobly  won! 
Three  families  assistance  lent. 
Upon  returning  they  were  bent, 
Till  finding  this  a  better  land. 

They  settled  on  the  barren  strand; 
In  mission  schools  were  kindly  taught, 
And  daily  grew  in  word  and  thought. 

l-'ive  years  rolletl  by;  consumption's  claim 
Was  laid  upon  the  mother's  frame. 
The  father  loved  his  youngest  child. 
And  with  her  crossed  the  ocean  wild; 
With  many  mishaps,  much  fatigue, 
They  found  a  home  in  Winnipeg. 

Five  years  again  had  claimed  their  own; 

The  daughter  now  to  woman  grown, 

Though  but  a  little  child  for  size,  ' 

Assayed  a  wond'rous  enterprise — 

To  win  from  gen'rous  strangers'  hand, 

By  telling  of  her  native  land, 

Her  fortune,  and  to  meet  once  more 


31 


32  i.futoDu-. 

Her  sisters  three  and  brothers  four. 

Pray  tell  me,  friend,  didst  e'er  thou  find 

A  braver  spirit,  nobler  mind, 

A  name  more  worthy  to  go  down 

On  hist'ry's  page  with  bright  renown  ?      ■ 

Captain  Holm  recently  returned  to  Copenhagen, 
after  having  spent  two  years  and  a  half  exploring 
the  almost  unknown  region  of  the  east  coast  of 
Greenland.  ^Although  ten  or  twelve  expeditions 
have  set  out  for  East  Greenland  in  the  past  two  cen- 
turies, almost  all  of  them  in  search  of  the  lost 
Norsemen,  who  were  supposed  to  have  settled  there, 
only  one  ship  ever  reached  the  coast. 

The  great  ice  masses,  sometimes  hundreds  of 
miles  wide,  that  are  perpetually  piled  up  against  the 
shore,  have  kept  explorers  from  East  Greenland 
long  after  all  Arctic  lands  were  fairly  well  known. 
With  three  assistants,  Captain  Holm  landed  at  Cape 
Farewell,  and  then  went  north  some  four  hundred 
miles.  He  has  returned  with  large  collections,  rep- 
resenting the  flora,  fauna,  geology,  and  anthropology 
of  this  hitherto  unknown  portion  of  the  earth's  sur- 
face. He  found  in  those  cold  and  dismal  regions, 
isolated  from  the  world,  a  race  of  people  who  had 
never  heard,  or  known,  of  the  great  civilized  nations 
of  the  earth.  They  seemed  to  lead  happy  lives,  and 
live  in  a  communicative  way  in  hamlets.  They 
differ  entirely  in  language,  and  physical  character, 
from  the  Esquimaux  of  West  Greenland. — Dcmor- 
esfs  Moiithh.  ^^    . 


*", 


956' 


iin^xaJW»ietyii4tilM 


IS  four. 

2r  thou  find 

down 

t  rcMiown  ? 

led  to  Copenhagen, 
id  a  half  exploring 
f  the  east   coast  of 

twelve  expeditions 
in  the  past  two  ccn- 
search  of  the  lost 
o  have  settled  there, 
;oast. 

itimes  hundreds  of 
piled  up  against  the 
m    East    Greenland 

fairly  well  known, 
lolm  landed  at  Cape 
some  four  hundred 
rge  collections,  rep- 
ly,  and  anthropology 
n  of  the  earth's  sur- 
and  dismal  regions, 

of  people  who  had 
eat  civilized  nations 
ead  happy  lives,  and 

in    hamlets.     They 

physical  character, 
Greenland. — Dcmor- 


:"^< 


f. 


